The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-27
CONDENsING RAIN.
An Invention TO Open tho Windows OF
Heaven and Make the Deserts Bloom


San Francisco Chronicle.
The remarkable powers and adaptability of
the electric current to the uses of society has
been futher demonstrated by an invention which
has at least the charm of novelty This is nothing
more nor less than patent to open the windows
of heaven at the will of man. and Michael Ca
hill, NJ. D., of this city. claims the honor of the
invention.
The doctor returned to town few days ago
from Washington, where he went to secure
patent and bring before the notice of the gov
eminent his strange contrivance. He was seen
Yesterday afternoon by Chronicle reporter, to
whom he briefly explained the proposal
II expect to see the sagebrush desert of Ne
braska and Nevada under cultivation and afford
ing pasturage for thousands of cattle in a few
years., began the doctor. Should the govern
ment adopt my patent, by its use there need
tinent."
by what extraordinary means do you intend
to tap the clouds and interfere with the laws of
natureP' oueried the reporter.
Simply by condenser captive balloon
and an electric cable placed wherever the rain
is required. have long believed that rain
have worked at this hobby of mine for several
years ever since left college, in fact. You see,
first of all, vapor it aScends receives heat
from the solar rays, which also impels it upward
until restricted by the cold. The vesicles or
dewdrops being crowded together, become cleo
trifed and float the air at an attitude of
from g. 900 to s. 600 feet and all that is required
then to produce rain is to intercept these vesi-
cleS by artificial means. What have invented
is condenser of peculiar shape and construc-
ton, and connected with the earth by an electric
cable. Whenever the veSicles come into con-
tact with the condenser or current they are
broken up and the water forced to the ground
with great rapidity. The rain will be produced
by the same laws as causes condensation on a
window pane. The surface OF the glass Is COW
cred with microscopic points, and on becoming
chilled the layer of air next 1T falls, allowing the
vapor TO flow to the points and from thence
to the ground"
You will require gigantic balloon for such
a purpose" was suggested.
''Oh, no. A condenser of about 200 feet in di-
ameter will bring down something like 70, OOOO OO
gallons day, as much as would lrrlgate al
most the half of this State The volume Of
water can be divided or formed into rivers,
which ever may be desired"
What will be the cost of erecting and fitting
up one of these condensers!
1.-The condenser will be of specially prepared
iron, and have received an estimate from
well-known manufacturer, who places the cost
at 81 5OO another $500 would easily fit it up"
s'What are the opinions of experts on the
matter, dOctOrT
well, when brought my plan before them
got great many of them round since While
in Washington l submitted it to the Meteoro-
logical Department, where am well-known, and
to the heads of the Geodetic Survey. and both
believed it to be practicable; indeed the former
body sent an Endorsement to the Secretary of
the Interior to have its efficacy tested /
pect it will be some months yet. however, before
they viii do anything at headquarters added
the doctor.
Since his return the inventor has had several
interviews with Lieutenant j. E. Mansfield. the
head of the local signal service. The doctor is
also in communication with number of local
capitalists with view to the formation of
company for the purchase of the patent rights
here and abroad and it is needless to add that
he is enthusiastic as a land-boomer over Its
ultimate acceptance and success